24 killed, 25 injured in fresh clashes in Sri Lanka

Colombo, May 26 (IANS) At least 21 Tamil Tiger rebels and three army soldiers were killed and over 25 wounded in sporadic gun-battles between the two sides in Sri Lanka’s northern Wanni and northwestern Mannar regions, the defence ministry said Monday. In a statement, the ministry said 10 Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elam (LTTE) cadres were killed at Palampiddi, Periyamadu, Parayakulam and Marathamadu areas on the Vavuniya front while another four guerrillas were killed at Karukkandal, Vediyamurippu, Pallaiperumalkaddu and Marithikannadi in Mannar district Sunday.

“Separately, at the Welioya battle theatre, clashes between troops and the LTTE were reported in Janakapura North, Kiribbanwewa and Kokkuthuduwai. Six LTTE cadres were killed, 16 others wounded during heavy fighting, in addition to three army fatalities,” it added.

The statement said the Sri Lanka Air Force launched a “close air support mission in Mannar” Monday with its MI-24 gunship helicopters to help the troops trying to advance into LTTE-held areas.

It said the air sorties were targeting LTTE strongholds in Andankulam, about 1.5 km north of Mannar.